The Kindle Fire will have a 7-inch display and sell for $199, compared with $499 for Apple’s cheapest iPad, Amazon executives told Bloomberg News. The device, a souped-up version of the Kindle electronic-book reader, will run on Google Inc.’s Android software, the Seattle-based company said.

NEW YORK — Amazon on Wednesday drew a line in the sand in the e-reader sector by unveiling three new Kindle e-reader models priced to move.

The first and newest: Kindle Touch, the company’s next-generation e-reader that uses an infrared touch display.

Chief executive Jeff Bezos took to the stage here at Stage37 in Manhattan to reveal the device, which he says is smaller and lighter than the current Kindle model.

“The infrared touch display means there’s no extra layer on top of your display,” he said.

A new feature of the device is called “X-Ray,” which offers contextual information about the content you’re reading. It’s not unlike Times Topics pages on the New York Times’ website, except it’s available as you read.

It will be $99. A 3G version (with built-in, free, contract-less Wi-Fi) will also be available for $149.

Both can be pre-ordered now for shipment in November.

“This is the top-of-the-line Kindle,” Bezos said, holding up the device. “We’re going to sell many millions of these.”

Taking a page from Apple, Bezos also announced a $79 Kindle that’s smaller and lighter (albeit less attractive) than the current one. It includes wireless connectivity and can be both ordered and shipped today.

“We’re making premium products and offering them at non-premium prices,” Bezos said.

Anarchist wrote:$199 seem like a fair price for useless device like a tablet. To think that people have been paying $500 for ipad is stupefying. To think that moto released xoom with $700 price tag is outrageous.

I've threatened a Kindle forever and would have one if i still read much. Sad to say I just don't read hardly at all anymore, and it used to be my main form of entertainment. I can see myself getting the Fire though since it servers several functions. I've never been able to stomach the price on the regular tablets because a nice laptop suits me better. If I spent hours commuting with public transportaton etc it would be great i imagine.

Anarchist wrote:$199 seem like a fair price for useless device like a tablet. To think that people have been paying $500 for ipad is stupefying. To think that moto released xoom with $700 price tag is outrageous.

The Kindle Fire will have a 7-inch display and sell for $199, compared with $499 for Apple’s cheapest iPad, Amazon executives told Bloomberg News. The device, a souped-up version of the Kindle electronic-book reader, will run on Google Inc.’s Android software, the Seattle-based company said.

NEW YORK — Amazon on Wednesday drew a line in the sand in the e-reader sector by unveiling three new Kindle e-reader models priced to move.

The first and newest: Kindle Touch, the company’s next-generation e-reader that uses an infrared touch display.

Chief executive Jeff Bezos took to the stage here at Stage37 in Manhattan to reveal the device, which he says is smaller and lighter than the current Kindle model.

“The infrared touch display means there’s no extra layer on top of your display,” he said.

A new feature of the device is called “X-Ray,” which offers contextual information about the content you’re reading. It’s not unlike Times Topics pages on the New York Times’ website, except it’s available as you read.

It will be $99. A 3G version (with built-in, free, contract-less Wi-Fi) will also be available for $149.

Both can be pre-ordered now for shipment in November.

“This is the top-of-the-line Kindle,” Bezos said, holding up the device. “We’re going to sell many millions of these.”

Taking a page from Apple, Bezos also announced a $79 Kindle that’s smaller and lighter (albeit less attractive) than the current one. It includes wireless connectivity and can be both ordered and shipped today.

“We’re making premium products and offering them at non-premium prices,” Bezos said.